An Ocean of Mountains: Hike to Hawksbill Summit Overlook

Luray, Virginia

Save

View all 3 photos

All 3 photos

Save Review Directions Add Photo

Details

Distance

2.9 miles

Elevation Gain

860 ft

Route Type

Loop

Description

Added by Rachel Reynolds

There are few times in life where one is rewarded for minimal efforts, but Hawksbill Summit Loop in Shenandoah National Park is that exception. Being the highest point in the park, the view is like no other. For the best experience, I recommend going on a clear, sunny day.

Just a short, easy 2.9 mile loop, this trail leads you to breathtaking views of Shenandoah. Park at Upper Hawksbill parking lot and the trailhead is pretty straightforward on where to go on the trail. When my friend and I went, we got to see a deer, so keep your eyes peeled for wildlife! Once you reach the overlook point, you can veer off to the the left a little bit for a different, more untouched area that most visitors may miss.

Download the Outbound mobile app

Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use.

Get the app

Features

Chillin

Photography

Hiking

Scenic

Wildflowers

Wildlife

An Ocean of Mountains: Hike to Hawksbill Summit Overlook Reviews

Have you done this adventure? Be the first to leave a review!

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Upper Hawksbill Trail

The trailhead has a small parking area at mile marker 46.7 on Skyline Drive, just past the Old Rag overlook (on the opposite side of the road) if you're driving south. The hike is a 2-mile out-and-back that takes you right to the summit. The first ~2/3 of it is relatively flat and very easy walking through the woods. After that, you reach the spot where the trail joins Byrds Nest 2 Road (also ...

Hawksbill Mountain Summit

A hike to the summit of Hawksbill Mountain will not only put you at the highest point in Shenandoah National Park (4050'), but you'll have a 270 degree view perfect for a sunset. This moderate hike is located at MP 45.6 on the Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park, so you'll have to pay a $20 entrance fee (valid for 7 days) per car to enter the park if you don't have an annual pass. There...

Lower Hawksbill to Salamander to Appalachian Trail Loop

This is one of 2 trails that will take you to the summit of Hawksbill Mountain. The other is the Upper Hawksbill Trail (which I also wrote an adventure about!). This trail is a combination of the Lower Hawksbill Trail, the AT, and the Salamander Trail. The parking are area for this hike is at mile marker 45.6 on Skyline Drive. From the parking lot, you can either go clockwise (left) or counter...

Photograph Spilter Knoll Overlook

The Spitler Knoll is one of 72 overlooks for people to enjoy as they travel through Shenandoah National Park along Skyline Drive. Skyline Drive is the road that winds through the heart of Shenandoah National Park, starting at Front Royal in the north and ending at Rockfish Gap in the south. This 105 mile long road offers great views of the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains and valleys while sim...

Hike to Rose River Falls

Rose River Falls is often overshadowed by it's more popular cousin, Dark Hollow Falls, as both hikes begin at the same trail head. But because Dark Hollow Falls is such a short and well known hike, it can get extremely crowded. It is also one of the few trails in Shenandoah where dogs are not allowed. Meanwhile, Rose River Falls offers more solitude and is incredibly dog friendly -- with tons...

Backpack Rose River Loop

The trail can be found on Skyline Drive. Though it is a little challenging to locate, you should park at Fisher’s Gap Overlook (mile marker 49.4), and then walk over across the road and find the trail. You'll spot it by looking over the side of the road and then hiking down. The Rose River Loop begins to the left of the fire road (you'll come up this fire road on the way back). The trail st...